Cliffcrest 523 Riverdale Ave. Originally the home of the James Bruce family, in the early 20th Century, Mark Twain rented it for one year. Later it was the Jewish Home for Friendless Children, then Glory Hole. It was torn down in 1954 to build an apartment building.
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Municipal Historian, 1977 recipient of the Key to the City of Yonkers, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Founder of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, October 26th
October 26, 1776: American light horse and infantry companies took overnight possession of the Manor Hall on their way to the Battle of White Plains
October 26, 1915: Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company officials announced they would make one million blankets for the Allies.
Tuesday, October 27th
October 27, 1776: The remainder of American troops left Valentine Hill to join General Washington’s troop assembly in White Plains.
October 27, 1909: The Yonkers Herald touted Republican Eighth Ward Alderman Benjamin Adams was barred from holding public office!
Adams wrote to a Hudson River Day Line Passenger Agent asking for free round trip transportation to Poughkeepsie for his wife and himself! Article 13 Section 146 of the NY State Constitution states: “No public officer, or person elected or appointed to a public offer, under the laws of this state, shall directly or indirectly ask, demand, accept, receive or consent to receive for his own use of benefit or for the use of benefit of another, any free pass, free transportation… Any officer or agent, thereof, who shall offer or promise to a public officer, or person elected or appointed to a public office, any such free pass, free transportation… shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and liable to punishment except as herein provided.”
Wednesday, October 28th
October 28, 1776: Residents of Valentine Hill heard the surging of the Hessian troops and their bullets firing as they advanced to attack the American troops
October 28, 1936: New York State Historical Society presented twenty-two historic markers for sites in Yonkers at a ceremony in Manor Hall.
October 28, 1942: City Manager William Walsh threatened the Alexander Smith Foundation with a libel lawsuit after it published a report Walsh prevented former City Manager Raymond Whitney entering the Manager’s Office after he was replaced… a charge Walsh branded “absolutely false.”
The Foundation announced later said it regretted its error, adding “Upon inquiry, Mr. Whitney assures he did not seek to enter the Manager’s office after Mr. Walsh’s appointment.”
Thursday, October 29th
October 29, 1917: Postmaster Michael Walsh announced Christmas mail for American soldiers in France had to be seven pounds or less and mailed by December 5th to reach them in time for Christmas.
October 29, 1920: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democratic candidate for Vice-President, addressed several thousand people at a rally here; he later was entertained at a luncheon hosted by Thomas Brogan and Albert Jordan.
October 29, 1914: Workmen began tearing down the old Eagle hat factory in Chicken Island; the old building was on the Flagg estate. This was the first step to transform the area into a more upscale area for “business houses.”
Friday, October 30th
October 30, 1940: Yonkers residents donated 5 cars to the Victory Scrap Pile! The total metal Yonkers donated was almost four million pounds, enough to build 100 machine guns, 100 tanks and 230 antiaircraft guns!
October 30, 1943: Cliffcrest at 523 Riverdale Avenue, once rented by Mark Twain and his family for a year, was formally dedicated as a home for United Nations seamen. The new unit, run by the Manhattan division of the American Women’s Hospitals Reserve Corps (AWHRC), was named the Gloryhole. The historic house was converted into a modern country home to provide rest and recreation for seamen on sick leave or furlough.
Major Rosalind Cowen, Director of the AWHRC, officiated at the ceremony; William Ruxton, former president of the British American Ambulance Corps, was master of ceremonies.
Saturday, October 31st
October 31, 1926: The United States Government began negotiations with Yonkers to place aviation searchlights on the Fortfield Reservoir; the government planned to pay a $1 fee for the privilege.
October 31, 1944: The Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company was awarded a third Army-Navy Production Award for “setting an inspiring example for your fellow Americans on the production front,” and for “high achievement in the production of war materiel.”
A second White Star, symbolic of the mills’ three awards, was added to the mills original pennant awarded October 30, 1943.
Under Secretary of War Robert Patterson wrote to the “men and women of the Velvet and Axminster Mill. “In maintaining the fine record which first brought you distinction, you have set an inspiring example for your fellow Americans on the production front. The second renewal adds a second White Star to your Army-Navy Production Award flag and stands as a symbol of your great and continuing contribution to the cause of freedom.”
Sunday, November 1st
November 1, 1908: Winner of the five-mile race sponsored by St. Joseph’s Lyceum was J. G. Hermans Jr. of the YMCA. Hermans covered the distance in 29 minutes and 32 seconds. William Harrington of the Elite Athletic Club was a close second.
November 1, 1928: Democratic nominee for Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt was the principal speaker at a rally in Philipsburgh Hall. A parade preceded the rally.
November 1, 1944: Arthur Witte, Yonkers Public Schools War Activities Chairman, announced the monthly citywide Scrap Paper Days would be discontinued; instead, schools would designate which Tuesday would be their monthly pickup day.
Why was the system changed? There were not enough junk dealers in Yonkers to collect from all schools; dealers would finish collecting the next day. Scrap paper piles left overnight were looted; a large number of books and magazines were stolen. Looters made a mess, leaving loose papers all over schoolyards. Early the next morning, staff had to pick up and restack the paper.
Any questions on this column, email yonkershistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, the Sherwood House Museum on Tuckahoe Road or their upcoming events, please call 914-961-8940, visit website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, or email info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org.